Episode Eight: Craig Reucassel and Saffron Zomer, Big Deal, Part 1

The reMAKERs

They say democracy is not a spectator sport, and the new film, Big Deal, will have you ready to get up off the couch. Directed by The Chaser’s Craig Reucassel and starring Bondi Hipster comedian Christiaan Van Vuuren, it follows everyman Christiaan as he tries to unravel the story of money in our politics. Or as ex-politician Sam Dastyari calls it, the system that’s ‘pay to play.’

Smart, funny, outrageous and revealing, Big Deal is not only super enjoyable to watch, it’s galvanising a new conversation and movement to reMAKE democracy, at a time when there’s frankly too much at stake to mess around. Whatever your politics, if you live in a democracy, this film and this conversation apply to you.

In Part 1 of our conversation on Big Deal and democracy, we chat with director Craig Reucassel and Executive Director of the Australian Democracy Network, Saffron Zomer. Why did they do this movie? What does corruption in our politics really look like, compared to what people think it looks like? How does Craig get so many high-profile current and ex-politicians to talk on camera, and how did Christiaan almost get nicotine poisoning? It’s a lively conversation that helps us dig underneath the easy cynicism to discover the solutions. (Hint: people power, which we dive into next episode, Part 2.)

Check out the movie and learn more at MakeItABigDeal.org, and join the campaign at ourdemocracy.com.au.

Show notes

Things we mention:

Framework for a Fair Democracy, Australian Democracy Network

Canada’s political finance laws

Ireland’s political finance laws

Check out the movie and join the campaign:

MakeItABigDeal.org

Ourdemocracy.com.au